{"id":8084,"date":"2020-10-01T19:21:48","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T19:21:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/?p=8084"},"modified":"2020-10-02T05:25:13","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T05:25:13","slug":"whats-worth-learning-and-why-how-the-cgc-focuses-on-learning-that-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/whats-worth-learning-and-why-how-the-cgc-focuses-on-learning-that-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Worth Learning and Why: How the CGC Focuses on Learning that Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The story so far\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our last article<\/a>, we defined the CGC\u2019s interactive helix of Conceptual, Competency and Character Learning as the DNA of learning. To extend the metaphor, a DNA does not live in a vacuum. It shapes a body. So another question presents itself. \u201cWhat body of knowledge is important for these learners, right now?\u2019. As we set out to identify learning that really matters, we framed our DESIGN question like this: \u2018What\u2019s Worth Learning and Why?’. Our response to that question works on multiple, connected levels:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth learning about our human common ground…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As our principal content organizer, we have identified 6 Human Commonalities, which preserve the essence of traditional disciplines e.g. Physics, while opening the door to emergent \u2018proto-disciplines\u2019 e.g. Innovation. The Commonalities encourage both<\/em> deep disciplinary learning and<\/em> the exploration of broad, powerful ideas that transcend disciplinary boundaries. They provide \u2018The Why\u2019 behind the disciplines and are framed by pairings of universal concepts, amplified by \u2018We all\u2019 statements expressing our common ground. 
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vertical Connections…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Human Commonalities provide the vertical organizers for a Learning Matrix comprising powerful Learning Modules, organized for connection and coherence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

…and Horizontal Connections<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We then add horizontal connections via three Thematic Questions, which spiral through the developmental bands, providing an annual connecting focus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth learning to be <\/strong>experts…<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CGC develops learning experts<\/em>, both child and adult. Experts have a deep conceptual<\/em> understanding of the ideas of their knowledge domain, and high levels of competency<\/em> in domain skills. To complement conceptual and competency expertise we are committed to producing expert human beings<\/em>, with strong, positive moral character.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently we identify specific <\/em>Domain Conceptual and Competency Learning Goals in every Learning Module. We also provide Character Learning Goals. These are \u2018domain agnostic\u2019, and used in all Commonalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth learning to be experts in contexts that really <\/strong>matter…<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recognize that it is possible to become a technical expert in a domain without engaging with vital issues like justice, equity, freedom, and the use of power. In order to ensure that CGC learners engage with these issues, we use them to shape the Compelling Questions that drive every CGC Learning Module.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth learning to tackle complex challenges that demand urgency and agency…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CGC learners become learning experts in the context of modules that matter. These may be grounded in one Commonality but draw from others in natural ways that connect and complement learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a further extension and application of their learning, we have also designed a systemic way for learners to tackle challenges and opportunities that are so pressing and so significant that they demand a multi-disciplinary<\/em> approach, a collaborative<\/em> methodology and a commitment to taking action<\/em>. These are the CGC Complexity Challenges. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We envisage teams of learners, teachers and potentially, external experts, working on these Challenges as a passion project in their preferred domain. They collaborate to find solutions and plan actions, then come together to share their learning with other teams and with other community learning stakeholders in a major Learning Demonstration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complexity Challenges are planned using the Compelling Questions model, extended across the Commonalities. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s worth learning and why?<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In CGC, we believe that it\u2019s worth learning about our human common ground, that it\u2019s worth learning to become experts in important knowledge domains, and that it\u2019s worth learning how to build our expertise in the context of substantive content that really matters. Ultimately, it\u2019s worth learning how to exercise our agency and work with urgency, to take action on the pressing challenges and opportunities that face humanity, right here, right now.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s what\u2019s worth learning…and why.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article was submitted by Kevin Bartlett. Kevin led international schools for over 30 years in 4 different locations, while working on a number of fronts to systematize international education. This work included designing accreditation systems including ACE, leading courses for the Principals\u2019 Training Center, initiating and leading the IB Primary Years Programme, and co-founding The Next Frontier Inclusion and the Common Ground Collaborative.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

www.thecgcproject.org<\/a>
kevin@thecgcproject.org<\/a>
#CGCKevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The story so far\u2026 In our last article, we defined the CGC\u2019s interactive helix of Conceptual, Competency and Character Learning as the DNA of learning. To extend the metaphor, a DNA does not live in a vacuum. It shapes a body. So another question presents itself. \u201cWhat body of knowledge is important for these learners, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8085,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12],"tags":[2819,2816,434,32,2815,2820,2817,2818],"class_list":["post-8084","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-highlighted-articles","tag-common-ground-collaborative","tag-ib-primary-years-programme","tag-international-education","tag-international-schools","tag-kevin-bartlett","tag-learning-process","tag-principals-training-center","tag-the-next-frontier-inclusion"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/six-commonalities.png?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2flVT-26o","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8052,"url":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/discovering-the-dna-of-learning-how-the-cgc-cracked-the-learning-code\/","url_meta":{"origin":8084,"position":0},"title":"Discovering the DNA of Learning: How the CGC Cracked the Learning Code","author":"ISCommunity","date":"September 3, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Introduction In a previous article we looked at how the Common Ground Collaborative (CGC) set about creating a complete, connected, Learning Ecosystem, using Four Guiding Questions. The first of these, \u2018What is Learning?\u2019, the CGC\u2019s \u2018Define\u2019 question, has provided an answer far more powerful than we anticipated. 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In this series of articles we\u2019ll unpack the CGC story, sharing our work with ISC readers. A few years back, the CGC team looked at the current state of play in \u2018the learning game\u2019 and saw\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Highlighted Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Highlighted Articles","link":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/category\/highlighted-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screenshot-2020-08-13-at-20.27.30.png?fit=528%2C286&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screenshot-2020-08-13-at-20.27.30.png?fit=528%2C286&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screenshot-2020-08-13-at-20.27.30.png?fit=528%2C286&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8139,"url":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/teaching-on-principle-how-cgc-builds-learning-cultures-in-every-classroom\/","url_meta":{"origin":8084,"position":2},"title":"TEACHING on PRINCIPLE: How CGC Builds Learning Cultures in Every Classroom","author":"ISCommunity","date":"November 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"In previous articles in this series we looked at the first two elements in the CGC Learning Ecosystem: Define and Design. 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